There are several different ways to decorate with a rug, but we will start with ten of them:
Use Rugs to Define Areas
Use a rug to define or separate areas, such as seating or dining areas, and foyers. This is especially useful in studio apartments or larger rooms that need definition.
Create Variety
You can use rugs to create variety in a space. When you use two rugs in a room, be aware that same sized rugs can visually cut the room in two. Use different sized rugs to create a sense of variety.
Create Harmony
When using more than one rug, it’s better when the rugs complement each other in style. If not, you could end up with a jarring or unpleasant effect. Too many “warring” patterns in a room will do away with any sense of harmony.
Get Ideas for a Color Scheme
Use a favorite rug as the basis of the color scheme in a room. On the other hand, if you add it after you have your furniture in place, you can use the rug to accent or tie in your existing colors.
Control the Volume
Use a rug to visually quieten a room or turn up the volume as needed. If your upholstery or wallpaper has an ornate pattern, choose a rug that is more subtle. When walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern or bolder colors to add more interest to the room.
Create a Focal Point
Use a rug as the focal point of your room, as rugs can make a huge impact. To do that you can create contrast by painting your walls a hue that echoes one of your rug’s accent colors.
Dress Up a Wall
Use a rug as a wall hanging for another way to display a rug, or to create a focal point.
Play Around With Shapes
Don’t assume that a rug has to be a rectangle. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape of your rug. Try figuring out which shape would look best, and then go with a square, round or oval shape if that seems to complement your furniture arrangement better than a rectangular one.
Make Sure to Get the Right Size
When you buy a room size rug, subtract 3 feet from the length and width of the room. Leaving the floor bare at the edges makes the room look a little larger. When laying a rug under your dining table, leave at least 24" of the rug from the edge of the table out on all sides. This enables the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug, even when pulled out to let someone sit. Runners should be 4 inches narrower than your hallway and 18 to 24 inches shorter. Make sure they are wide enough to accommodate both feet on the rug when you walk.
Update a Room
Change out rugs and pillows to update a room for changing seasons, or as a way to introduce new color trends.
Bonus Tip:
Always use a liner to keep your rug from slipping or creeping. The rug liner should be appropriate for your floor type, and also be the right size to fully keep the rug from sliding.
